Decoded: Code Considerations for Nightclubs
Despite changes to the code requirements related to nightclubs, tragedies continue to occur. This Decoded article covers some of the door-related considerations.
TGP: Understanding Code Requirements for Fire-Rated Transoms & Sidelites
In recent weeks I have shared a couple of posts about fire-resistance-rated vs. fire-protection-rated assemblies - it's important to know the difference! There's more in today's guest post.
Live With Lori – September 15th
Our next live session on the code requirements for electrified hardware is coming up soon - September 15th! There is still time to register and submit your questions!
Decoded: Fire-Protection-Rated vs. Fire-Resistance-Rated Assemblies
After yesterday's post, some questions came up about fire-resistance-rated assemblies, so I have updated this Decoded article on the topic.
TGP: Texas Christian University; Hill Hall & Walsh Hall
A recent case study from TGP highlights study rooms that were constructed with a combination of fire-resistance-rated and fire-protection-rated products. Do you know the difference?
FF: Here’s what’s wrong with this picture.
In today's Fixed-it Friday post I take a closer look at this fire door in a hotel stairway and I have a question for all of the fire door inspectors out there...would you cite this as a deficiency?
What’s wrong with this picture?
Steve Quinn of Flylock Security Solutions just sent me these photos, and they're a great example of the little details that can affect a fire door. Can you see the problem (other than the obvious one!)?
WW: Fire Door Clearances
Nikolaus Wegner sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo of a hotel fire door that looks like it has some clearance issues. There's more info in the linked Decoded article.
QQ: Fire Door Bottom Clearance
Where is the bottom clearance of a fire door measured? From the bottom of the door to the bottom of the frame, the slab, the top of the flooring or threshold?
Decoded: Securing Parking Garages
A question about this topic came up in the Live With Lori session on access control doors, so I've made some updates to this article, and the Live session recording is now available!
FF: Auxiliary Fire Pin
Ryan Krakowsky sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photos of an improper installation of an auxiliary fire pin for less-bottom-rod fire exit hardware. Do you know the correct mounting location?
WW: Worst One Yet?
Michael Metzen of Walsh Door and Security sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photos of a hotel fire door, and these might take the cake for the worst WW fire door ever!
QQ: Existing Fire Door Frames Without Labels
If an existing fire door assembly has a hollow metal frame in perfect condition, but the frame is missing the label, is this compliant with NFPA 80?
FF: UL Listed End Cap Protection
I can't count the number of times I've seen missing or damaged end caps on panic hardware and fire exit hardware - those carts and gurneys can be brutal! So what's the Fixed-it Friday "fix"?
WW: Wordless…and Wonderful!
I recently received a forwarded email from a medical school's safety compliance officer to its faculty and staff, that made my little fire-door-loving heart skip a beat.
QQ: Through-bolts on Fire Exit Hardware
This question often arises when a fire door inspector is on-site or when the top latches have become detached: Is fire exit hardware required to be attached to a fire door with through-bolts?
Live With Lori – July 29th
Our live session on access control systems/normal locking arrangements and the requirements for UL 294/UL 1034 listings is next week...there is still time to register and submit your questions!
WW: “…and LATCHED!”
Adam Fisk of Allegion sent me today's Wordless Wednesday photo...it's kind of ironic that someone went to the effort to make a sign for this fire door, which is equipped with zip tie dogging.
Ask Me Anything – July 29th
I decided to try something new, a series of live sessions where I do a short presentation followed by Q&A, to address the codes that apply to electrified hardware. All are welcome!
Fire Door Inspection – Top 10 Deficiencies
BIG NEWS - I just updated the Allegion Code Reference Guide and it will be ready for print and download soon! In the process I updated this article, which is included in the guide.
WW: Hospital Fire Door Win! (video)
Mark Kuhn just reminded me that I had not yet posted one of my favorite videos on iDigHardware. It's a video of a fire door in a hospital that did its job during an electrical fire.
WW: Fire Door vs. HVAC
I received today's Wordless Wednesday photos from Ruth Neeman - they were taken in a public building in Massachusetts. Since when does HVAC take priority over fire protection??
QQ: Push Plates and Door Pulls
A post from last month has raised another Quick Question: Why would a push plate or door pull require a UL 10C listing, when fire doors need to having latching hardware?
WW: Invisible Latch
Imagine walking up to a pair of fire doors that are not closing and latching properly. You climb the ladder to check the closer, look down into the latch case cover and see...nothing.
QQ: Door Guards and Privacy Latches
Today's Quick Question is a common one related to entry doors serving hotel rooms and apartments: Is a UL listing required for auxiliary items mounted on a 20-minute-rated fire door?
Decoded: Separate Deadbolts on Classroom Doors
This month's Decoded article answers a common question: Is it acceptable by code to install a separate dead bolt along with a lockset or latchset on a classroom door?
Fire Door Inspections: What NFPA 80 Requires (video)
In this video from NFPA, Shawn Mahoney, P.E., Senior Technical Services Engineer at NFPA, provides a detailed overview of inspecting swinging fire doors with builders hardware.
Decoded: Smoke Door Requirements of the International Building Code
By request, I have updated this article on smoke doors to include the requirements of the 2024 IBC. When you have a question about a smoke door, just decide which of the 5 types it is and refer to the section for that type.
TGP: Eric Hamber Secondary School
I was recently reading a case study from TGP about a new secondary school project in Vancouver, BC, and it got me thinking about the buildings where I attended junior high and high school.
WW: That’s one way to handle it.
While today's Wordless Wednesday modification solved a fire door issue, it created a tripping hazard. I would have specified this a little differently...how about you?
FDAI: Fire Door Assembly Inspection
Today's post is the final wrap-up for our series on the fire door assembly inspection criteria. If you missed any posts or you want to learn more, here's where you'll find that info!
Decoded: Signage Limitations on Fire Door Assemblies
In today’s Decoded article and 13th fire door inspection criteria post, I addressed some recent changes to the NFPA 80 requirements applicable to signage mounted on fire door assemblies.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 12
In today's post in the series on fire door assembly inspection criteria, I addressed a product that's very simple, but still causes confusion - meeting stile and perimeter gasketing.
DOIT: Upcoming Training
DOIT - The Door Opening Industry Training Group has announced the return of Webinar Wednesday in 2026! Check out the upcoming sessions on fire doors, presented live next Wednesday!
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 11
In this guest post, Marilyn Latham of Allegion discusses the process for performing a job site preparation or field modification on a fire door assembly.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 10
In this guest post, Allison Messer and Bill Lawliss of Allegion discuss specifying the right hardware from the beginning, to avoid non-code-compliant retrofits.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 9
In this guest post, Sarah Finley Gilman of Allegion shares some important considerations for the hardware that provides positive latching for fire door assemblies.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 8
This guest post by Ian Heckman of Allegion covers the basics of coordinators - the function, available types, and other considerations for pairs of fire doors.
Decoded: Fusible Links and Smoke-Activated Hold-Opens
I've updated this Decoded article with the current code references from NFPA 80, the International Building Code (IBC), NFPA 101, and NFPA 72.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 7
This guest post by Adam Fisk of Allegion helps to sort through some of the available options for LCN products that may be installed on fire door assemblies.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 6
Are you aware of the current clearance requirements of NFPA 80, which allow up to 3/16-inch clearances on 20-minute fire doors in hollow metal frames?
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 5
In today's guest blog post, Tim Murfin, Manager, Commercial Product Support for Allegion, discusses how our tech support team can help keep fire doors code-compliant.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 4
In today's guest blog post, Jason Allen, product support representative for Allegion, discusses the importance of maintaining fire doors in proper working order.
FF: Fire Exit Hardware
John Danes of Allegion sent me today's Fixed-it Friday photo...I'm sure someone thought they were solving a problem with this "fix", but they've created a big problem!
In-Person Code Updates – Next Week!
I'll be heading to DHI ConNextions in Fort Worth next week, where Mark Kuhn and I will be conducting two training sessions with some help from our Allegion teammates.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 3
In today's guest blog post, Devin Bowman, General Manager of Technical Glass Products (TGP) and AD Systems, shares information about glazing in fire door assemblies.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 2
In today's guest blog post, Marilyn Latham, senior engineer for hollow metal at Steelcraft and Republic, shares information about how to address holes in fire door assemblies.
QQ: Gasketing Requirements of NFPA 101
Which door openings are required to have gasketing, according to NFPA 101 - The Life Safety Code? The answer is not easy, but you can follow the bread crumbs.
FDAI: Inspection Criteria 1
Continuing the FDAI series, Marilyn Latham, senior engineer for hollow metal at Steelcraft and Republic, shares information about fire door assembly labels in today's guest blog post.
Fire Door Latching
In order for a fire door assembly to perform as designed and tested, it's critical for the door to be closed and latched if/when a fire occurs. Today's post looks at latching considerations for fire doors.